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Surgical infection and the aging population.
D P Raymond1, S J Pelletier, T D Crabtree
1Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
The American Surgeon
|September 22, 2001
Summary
Elderly patients with surgical infections face higher mortality rates and require special care. This study highlights increased risks and mortality predictors in older adults with surgical infections.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- The aging US population leads to more elderly patients with surgical infections.
- Understanding patient attributes, treatment, and outcomes in this demographic is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine patient characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in elderly patients with surgical infections.
- To compare elderly patients (>=70 years) with younger patients (<70 years) regarding surgical infections.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of inpatient surgical infections from December 1996 to May 2000 at a university hospital.
- Comparison of patients aged 70 and older with those younger than 70.
- Analysis of patient attributes, comorbidities, infecting organisms, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and more comorbidities.
- Infection types (pneumonia, intra-abdominal, bloodstream) and organisms were similar between age groups.
- Crude mortality and mortality associated with specific infections were significantly higher in the elderly.
Conclusions:
- Surgical infection in the elderly is linked to significantly higher mortality.
- APACHE II score, cerebrovascular disease, and fungal infections independently predict mortality in elderly patients.
- Special consideration is needed for treating surgical infections in the elderly population.